Warren Alpert Foundation Prize Recipients

2023

For the vision and generation of computational tools, databases and infrastructure that changed the way biological information can be rapidly and freely exchanged, searched, and analyzed, thus enabling discovery of fundamental biological mechanisms, their alterations in disease, and potential as new therapeutic targets.

2022

For pioneering work leading to the discovery and development of mRNA vaccines.

2021

For the discovery of fundamental pathways and mechanisms that ensure accurate RNA splicing and quality control of gene expression involving RNA. Mutations in these pathways account for many human diseases.

2020

For identifying Glucagon-like peptides and leading the field with studies extending from cells to humans, culminating in the development of these peptides as therapeutic agents for treating diabetes and short bowel syndrome.

2019

For the development of optogenetics as a way to control the activity of specific circuits in the nervous system, to determine their function and ultimately to control them to treat neurological and psychiatric disorders.

2018

For pioneering contributions to the discovery of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene and to the subsequent research that led to the development of transformational precision medicines to treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis.

2017

For their collective contributions to the pre-clinical foundation and development of immune checkpoint blockade, a novel form of cancer therapy that has transformed the landscape of cancer treatment.

2016

For remarkable contributions to the understanding of the CRISPR bacterial defense system and the revolutionary discovery that it can be adapted for genome editing.

2015

For their pioneering discoveries in chemistry and parasitology, and personal commitments to translate these into effective chemotherapeutic and vaccine-based approaches to control malaria - their collective work will impact millions of lives globally particularly in the developing countries.

2014

For seminal contributions to our understanding of neurotransmission and neurodegeneration.

2013

For their seminal contributions to concepts and methods of creating a genetic map in the human, and of positional cloning, leading to the identification of thousands of human disease genes and ushering in the era of human genetics.

2012

For the discovery, preclinical and clinical development of bortezomib to FDA approval and front line therapy for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma.

2011

In recognition of their extraordinary contributions to medicine and innovations in bioengineering.

2010

For the expansion and differentiation of human keratinocyte stem cells for permanent skin restoration in victims of extensive burns.

2008-2009

For the discovery, characterization and implementation of laser panretinal photo-coagulation, which is used to treat proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

2007

For work leading to the development of a vaccine against human papillomavirus.

2006

For their contribution to the development of the breast cancer therapy Herceptin, the first target-directed cancer treatment for solid tumors.

2005

For discovering angiogenesis and its relationship to disease, and for championing the concept of anti-angiogenic therapies.

2004

For her seminal contributions to the understanding of how the antitumor agent Taxol kills cancer cells.

2003

For their pioneering work on the purification, characterization, and cloning of human interferon-alpha.

2002

For his pioneering work in understanding the role of vitamin A supplementation in preventing blindness and life-threatening infections in children in the developing world.

2001

For their pioneering work in cardiovascular research which has dramatically reduced the mortality rate for heart attacks.

2000

For their research that contributed to the development of a drug that effectively treats chronic megelogenous leukemia and other forms of cancer.

1999

For their research in the development of statins which lower the level of cholesterol in the heart.

1998

For elucidating the pathway forming the leukotrienes and their role in bronchial asthma.

1997

For their discovery of human immune deficiency virus (HIV).

1996

For their discoveries of molecules that regulate the growth and differentiation of bone marrow cells in health and disease.

1995

For the development of the lung surfactant used for treating pulmonary hyaline membrane disease.

1994

For identifying Helicobacter pylori as the organism that causes gastric and duodenal ulcers.

1993

For developing a complete description of thalassemia at the molecular level.

1992

For discovering the enzymatic basis of Gaucher's disease leading to its effective treatment.

1991

For designing a powerful new approach to the treatment of high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.

1989

For pioneering the use of DNA in the diagnosis of congenital anemias.

1988

For defining the genetic basis of muscular dystrophy.

1987

For elaborating the genetics of Hepatitis B as the basis for its vaccine.